Confronting Violence in American Culture – an Interview with Rachel Wagner
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April 8, 2025

Cowboy Apocalypse: Religion and the Myth of the Vigilante Messiah, a new release by Rachel Wagner from NYU Press, charts the myth of the “good guy with a gun,” connecting America’s frontier beginnings with visions of the end of the world. In the midst of widespread mass shootings in America, a common motif stands out: the perpetrators of these attacks often view themselves as vigilante… [Read More]

Finding Courage – an Interview with Sondra Brooks
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February 11, 2025

In Not Good Enough Girl, amidst the control, confusion, and chaos caused by her eight-times-married mother, Sondra Brooks’ story spans the extreme emotions of a mother-daughter relationship, touching on cyclical family dysfunction, addiction, and forgiveness. Beginning at the age of five, Sondra spends decades auditioning for the role of her authentic self. Her dazzling mother casts her as confidante and co-conspirator in her affairs and… [Read More]

Destination Writing Retreats to Inspire in 2025
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January 14, 2025

Sometimes you need a change of scenery to spark your creativity, and events like writing retreats, conferences, workshops often provide a change of pace, a chance to relax and unwind, and space to focus on your craft. These events can also offer opportunities to connect with other writers and build community and a network of support. Some even double as opportunities to travel to faraway… [Read More]

Give the Gift of Books: Ideas for Gifting to Non-Book People
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December 13, 2024

It’s gift-giving season once again, and there’s nothing quite like seeing the look on a person’s face when they receive a gift they love. As book lovers can attest, books make great gifts. But what if the person you’re buying for isn’t a huge book person? Here are some ideas of newer titles to gift to the more selective readers in your life. Easy Weeknight… [Read More]

Writing and Listening — an Interview with Brooke Randel
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November 5, 2024

As a young girl Brooke Randel knew little about the Holocaust—just that it was a catastrophe in which millions were murdered, and that her grandma Golda Indig barely escaped that fate. But her Bubbie never spoke about what happened, and the two spent most of their time together making pleasant memories: baking crescent roll cookies, playing gin rummy, and watching Baywatch. Until an unexpected phone… [Read More]

How to Beat a Writing Slump
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July 16, 2024

Every writer has been there—staring at a blinking cursor on a page, straining to find the words. Sometimes writing feels like a breeze, as if you’re simply riding the wave of your thoughts, and words pour out onto the page almost effortlessly. But other times, it seems like no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to find the words. Here are some ideas… [Read More]

New Fiction for Summer Reading
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June 11, 2024

It’s summer! The season of beach reads, page-turning suspense, and cozy reading at the cabin. Whether you travel far or stick close to home, it’s the perfect time to kick back, relax, and get into a good book. And there are plenty of new releases to add to your TBR list! Here are some recent releases across varied genres that I am excited to dive… [Read More]

Gift Ideas for Book Lovers (that aren’t books)
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December 12, 2023

Wondering what to gift the avid reader in your life this holiday season? Look no further! Here are some creative gift ideas for bookworms that are sure to delight. Blankets and cozy socks There’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book, and these warm, fluffy gifts can make every reading experience even more comfortable, especially in these cold winter months. These blankets from… [Read More]

Graphic Memoir—Art and Prose Capturing the Human Experience
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November 1, 2023

Memoir allows readers a glimpse into the lives of others, the struggles they’ve gone through, the lessons they’ve learned, showing the width and breadth of the human experience. And with the added visual element, graphic memoir brings another dimension to the story and pulls the reader into the setting without the need for prose description, visually transporting readers to lands and perspectives different from their… [Read More]

Summer Reads in Fiction
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June 13, 2023

Sunshine and warmer weather are here, and that means it’s the perfect time to head outside, kick back your feet, and read a good book. There are plenty of new releases in fiction to be excited about. Here are some of the new releases I am most eager to read this summer from some popular genres of fiction. Fantasy – Witch King by Martha Wells… [Read More]